How do you switch specialties???

[shinyblackcar]

Okay, I have heard a hundred times that nursing is so great because there are so many different areas you can go into and you can try different specialties until you find the one that's right for you, etc. Well, I have a question: HOW THE HECK DO YOU SWITCH SPECIALTIES SO EASILY? Every job listing says "3-5 years experience required" or even just "1 year experience IN THIS SPECIALTY required." You can't get that experience if you're working full time in another specialty! You can't even get it by working per diem because they won't hire you for per diem work without experience IN THAT SPECIALTY. I just don't understand this. Can someone PLEASE enlighten me??? I can't even get an interview for a job IN MY SPECIALTY. :\ I am getting so discouraged. I'm starting to think I don't want to be a nurse at all anymore. Then again, there are no other jobs in any other field right now either. I don't know if all of this is because of where I am geographically but THERE ARE NO JOBS, even for people with experience. I went to a job fair and I honestly do not understand why they have those things when even an RN with experience can't get a phone call for an interview. WHO EXACTLY ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?

[brownbook]

I am not sure what your specialty is? It is hard to get hired any where, in any area, even in "specialty" areas.

IF you do ever get hired into maybe a basic med/surg unit. Then start offering to and ask to float to other units. Most nurses HATE to float. But that is one way to see all different types of nursing and get into your specialized ares.

[Anisettes, BSN, RN]

Yes, it's true that specialty units ask for at least some experience, but that's often because certain specialties require specific training. On some units, you can easily cross train to other wards/depts with minimal orientation, but other specialties you cannot.

For instance when I went from ED/Trauma to the OR I was hired on and trained in an 8 month paid program with the understanding that if I did not complete 2 full years of subsequent employment with them I would be required to pay back several thousand dollars they had spent training me.

But beware the sin of hubris - LOL - I was a bit cocky thinking 10 years of trauma resus experience, it would be a snap. Hell, I thought I could do ANYTHING in a snap and I'd slide right into the OR without much effort. Well, I had my pride handed to me real quick - it was almost like being on another planet in the beginning.

I went into the ED from the floor via the same route - there were several openings and they offered to train.

Look for postings for spots that interest you that offer to take you on and train you. It might be tight right now because of the economy, but that won't be the case forever. Often you can do an internal transfer instead of having to switch employers (I did). Don't give up, you just have to pay attention and keep your eyes peeled for openings. Best chances are usually in teaching hospitals

Good Luck!

[StephRN08]

Well apparently my co-workers are some of the only people that found this appalling. I don't give a damn about nurse-to-patient relationship and blah blah blah... what she said was down-right rude. That's like someone saying why are you were a Steelers t-shirt when there are other teams. I am oncology certified nurse and have worked as an oncology RN for almost 3 years and 3 years as a nurse tech before that. I have never in my life heard someone (with cancer or not) say such a thing.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Well.....

How do you switch?

Um.....

1. Flexibility

2. Easily adaptable

3. Handles stressors well (remains calm in any situation)

4. Very excellent clinical/critical thinking skills

5. Very good clinical skills

6. Good self-esteem, self-worth

7. Awareness of limits

8. Able to sell one's self to the new specialty--especially if it's an established "tribe".

I have more...but its almost silly to list...

It's really knowing the right people too.. and basically selling yourself and I have to say you have to be smarter than the average bear because that counts BIG TIME....